The sun was shining gently over the capital city of Veldenar, its streets lively with merchants shouting from their stalls, children running with sweets in hand, and travelers crowding through the market square.
Renji, now wearing more casual clothes (a clean white shirt and black jacket with his sword sheathed behind), strolled along the cobblestone streets with Elira and Celis on either side.
"Are you sure it's okay to leave the castle like this?"
Renji asked, hands in his pockets.
"The King insisted you rest,"
Elira chimed in with a smile.
"You're a Hero now, remember? Even heroes need to unwind!"
Celis smirked, arms folded.
"And if a new demon shows up, you'll just beat it with a stick from one of these stalls, right?"
"Please don't jinx it."
They stopped at a skewer stand first.
"Three spicy skewers, please!"
Elira ordered.
The vendor nodded and began grilling. When Renji took a bite, his face turned bright red.
"G-Guh…! This… this is lava!!"
Celis raised a brow.
"Can't handle a little spice, Hero?"
Elira giggled.
"Aw, you look like a tomato!"
"My soul is on fire—"
he chugged from a nearby fountain, drawing stares from passing adventurers.
After recovering, they visited a candy stand. Elira excitedly pointed at some sugar-coated fruits.
"These look amazing!"
Renji bought three and handed one each to them.
"Here. Peace offering for surviving the fire skewers."
Celis took hers with a smirk.
"Wow, the great Hero is spoiling us. What next, flowers?"
Renji, unfazed, walked to a nearby flower stall and bought a small blue blossom. He casually handed it to Elira.
"Here."
Elira froze, cheeks turning pink.
"F-For me?"
Renji shrugged.
"Well, you're always helping out… figured you deserved one."
Celis raised an eyebrow, watching Elira try to hide her flustered expression.
"And what about me, oh generous Hero?"
Renji grinned.
"Yours is still at the demon slaying department. Come back next week."
Celis playfully punched his arm.
"Tch. I'll remember that."
They stopped by a mini shooting gallery stall, where you had to knock down little monsters with a toy crossbow. Elira tried first.
"Okay… I just have to aim and—"
Thunk. She missed every shot.
"Ehehe… Oops."
Celis rolled her eyes.
"Step aside, Princess. I've got this."
She hit four out of five and smirked smugly.
Renji took the toy bow, aimed once, and knocked down all five targets in a single shot.
The vendor clapped.
"We have a winner!! You get the top prize!"
The prize? A ridiculously oversized plush slime.
Renji stared at it, deadpan.
"…What am I supposed to do with this?"
Elira hugged it with glee.
"It's so cute!"
Celis rolled her eyes.
"Hero of Veldenar, Slayer of Demons… and collector of plushies."
As the sun began to set, the three sat on a quiet bench overlooking the lake near the edge of town. The sky was painted orange and purple, with the last rays of sunlight dancing over the water.
Renji looked over at Elira, who gently held the blue flower in her lap, her smile soft and sincere.
"Hey…"
he began.
"Hm?"
"Thanks for today. It was fun."
Her cheeks warmed again.
"It really was."
Celis yawned exaggeratedly.
"Ugh, can you two flirt quieter? Some of us are trying not to vomit here."
Renji smirked.
"Wanna go back and fight a demon instead?"
"Tempting."
They all laughed together.
And for the first time in a long while… things felt peaceful.